Guidelines for collecting copyright fees from TV and radio stations may be issued next year, according to an official from the National Copyright Association.

China Times reports The Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council is currently considering the guidelines, which will apply to all music other than that created by the stations.

The articles estimates copyright fees from TV or radio stations could amount to as much as 10 billion yuan, or US$1.3 billion, if the fees collected in Hong Kong are used as a reference.

The 2001 amendment of the Copyright Law allows radio and TV stations to broadcast music without the consent of the copyright owners, as long as they pay a usage fee. The law allows radio and TV stations to negotiate other arrangements with copyright owners, but no guidelines for collecting copyright fees have yet been issued.

(CRI December 18, 2006)